As we hopefully illustrated on our recent factory tour, Pivot’s Chris Cocalis is obsessive when it comes to the design of his bikes. If it can be made lighter, better, stronger, it will – just give him time. That seems to be the case with the new Phoenix. While nothing is radically new, the bike sees a number of improvements to make it even faster.
By use of some sort of hollow core internal carbon molding magic, the new frame is 300g lighter than the previous incarnation. Pivot says this should allow the new bike to be built sub 31 lbs! Helping achieve that low build weight is the choice to spec the Phoenix with the new Fox Float X2 air shock which is lighter but also offers more tuning than you’ll be able to easily achieve with a coil. The shock choice comes from the factory DH team and provides the Phoenix with 204mm of rear travel to match 200mm travel forks.
Continuing with 27.5″ wheels, one of the biggest changes you’ll find on the frame comes in the form of greater tire clearance.Pivot was able to not only add more mud and tire clearance but they did so while keeping the chain stays to a short 440mm while allowing plenty of room for the proven DW Link suspension. The frame also includes increased protection built into the seat stay on the drive side with double the length of the rubber frame protector as well as a new protector built into the front upright on the swing arm. These are in addition to the chain stay and downtube protection that carry over from the previous frame.
Likewise, the frame carries forward their Pivot Cable Port System which utilized full length housing routed through large openings in the frame, held in place with bolt on clamps. The system makes use of integrated rubber fork bumpers which double as the cable entry points at the head tube.
To make frame size an additional way of “ride tuning” the Phoenix makes use of a single head tube and seat tube length for the S, M, L, and XL frames. The only difference is the length of the top tube which Pivot says allowed team rider Elliot Jackson to size up one size for gnarlier tracks. The 62.5º head angle can be adjusted +/-0.75º with the optional adjustable headset cups as well.
The rest of the details remain mostly the same with a 107mm full carbon PF bottom bracket shell with carbon ISCG05 tabs, a 157x12mm rear axle, and 180mm carbon post mount rear brakes.
Features:
- Full carbon frame featuring leading edge carbon fiber materials and Pivot’s proprietary hollow core internal molding technology
- 27.5-inch wheels for the fastest runs, bigger tire contact patch, increased stability and steering quality
- 204mm dw-link® suspension
- Fox Float X2 shock with Evol
- 157mm X 12mm rear end
- Designed to work with forks from 200mm in travel.
- Full length internal cable routing with Pivot’s exclusive cable port system
- Adjustable +/- .75 degree headset option
- Internal dropper post compatible
- Cold forged alloy linkages with Enduro Max Cartridge Bearings
- Extensive, highly durable, rubberized molded downtube and swingarm protection
- 180mm rear carbon post mounts disc brake mounts for precision and weight savings.
- Carbon ISCG-05 tabs
- 107mm full carbon BB shell
- Available in sizes S, M, L, XL for riders between 5’4″ and 6’7″
Available in Team Blue or black, the Phoenix will be offered in framesets with the Fox X2 Evol air shock for $3,299, and in two complete builds – with Shimano Zee ($5,499) or Saint ($7,599). The Saint build can also be upgraded to Reynolds carbon DH wheels which would bring the price to $8,499. Everything is in stock and ready to ship now, with the exception of XL frames which will ship in about 4 weeks.
